Idioms and Phrases


Direction: In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase as your answer.

  1. a close shave.









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    a close shave/call : a situation in which you only just manage to avoid an accident.
    ● The speeding car passed only a few inches from us a real close shave. The best option is a narrow escape from danger.

    Correct Option: A

    a close shave/call : a situation in which you only just manage to avoid an accident.
    ● The speeding car passed only a few inches from us a real close shave. The best option is a narrow escape from danger.


  1. I want to tell you in a nutshell, lust for money and power ruined her life.









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    put something in a nutshell: to express something in a very clear way, using few words.
    ● To put in a nutshell, we are bankrupt. The best option is in a brief manner

    Correct Option: D

    put something in a nutshell: to express something in a very clear way, using few words.
    ● To put in a nutshell, we are bankrupt. The best option is in a brief manner



  1. Our school is within a stone’s throw of the railway station.









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    within a stone’s throw : a very short distance away.
    ● We live just a stone’s throw from here. The best option is at a short distance

    Correct Option: C

    within a stone’s throw : a very short distance away.
    ● We live just a stone’s throw from here. The best option is at a short distance


  1. to feather one’s nest









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    to feather one’s nest : to make oneself richer, especially by spending money on oneself that should be spent on something else.
    ● Bob’s many profitable assignments enabled him to feather his nest comfortably. The best option is to enrich one self when opportunity occurs.

    Correct Option: C

    to feather one’s nest : to make oneself richer, especially by spending money on oneself that should be spent on something else.
    ● Bob’s many profitable assignments enabled him to feather his nest comfortably. The best option is to enrich one self when opportunity occurs.



  1. a close-fisted person









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    A close-fisted (person) : not willing to spend or give much money; mean; stingy.
    ● My uncle is a close-fisted person. The best option is a miser

    Correct Option: B

    A close-fisted (person) : not willing to spend or give much money; mean; stingy.
    ● My uncle is a close-fisted person. The best option is a miser